Contador takes on Froome and Valverde at Volta a Catalunya

Second in Paris-Nice by the agonisingly small margin of two seconds to Sergio Henao (Team Sky), and second by just one second at the Ruta del Sol to Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team), means Contador has not won a race since last summer’s Vuelta a Burgos.

Contador lost last year’s Volta a Catalunya by just seven seconds to Nairo Quintana (Movistar). The Colombian is not defending his win but Valverde and Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors), who took third in the Volta last year, will be present. Also in action and sure to challenge Contador, are Chris Froome (Team Sky), Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin), Tejay van Garderen (BMC) and Romain Bardet (AG2R-La Mondiale).

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Contador finished fourth in the Volta in 2015 and second in 2014 behind Joaquim Rodriguez. He is determined to look for victory in a race featuring a 41km team time trial on Tuesday and two summit finishes on Wednesday and Friday.

“My condition is the same, as good as it has been up to now,” the 34-year old told Cyclingnews on the eve of the Volta’s first stage.

“I’ve spent my time since Paris-Nice recovering because it was one of the toughest I remember in recent times. I was in good shape there and I’m sure I’ll be in good shape here.”